Draft:Eduardo Ortiz Jasso

Eduardo Ortiz Jasso is a Mexican architect, urban planner, and public policy expert, currently serving as the Director for Latin America & the Caribbean at the Urban Economy Forum (UEF). Ortiz Jasso has over 30 years of experience in urban planning, focusing on sustainable development, tourism infrastructure, and public-private partnerships. He has contributed to key urban development projects across Latin America and the Caribbean, with a particular impact in fast-growing urban areas, such as Cancún.

Building on his regional experience, Ortiz Jasso has also worked closely with international institutions, including UN-Habitat and the World Bank, to advance sustainable urbanization efforts on a broader scale. These collaborations reflect his growing influence in addressing global challenges related to urbanization and sustainability.

Early life and Education

Born and raised in Mexico City, Ortiz Jasso developed an early interest in architecture and urban design, influenced by the rapid urbanization of his home city. He pursued a degree in Architecture from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he received the Baz Prada Award for academic excellence. He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Urban Management and Design from the Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, one of Mexico’s leading institutions in urban studies. During his studies, he focused on global trends in sustainable development, particularly the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in Latin America, which laid the foundation for his career in public service and urban revitalization.

Professional career Early Career in Urban Planning Ortiz Jasso began his career working in urban design and architecture in the private sector. His early work focused on urban revitalization projects, which aimed at modernizing infrastructure in Mexico’s expanding cities. His commitment to sustainability and innovative public policies quickly garnered the attention of local governments.

Founding Director of the Institute of Urban Planning of Cancun (IMPLAN) In 2007, Ortiz Jasso became the founding director of the Institute of Urban Planning of Cancun (IMPLAN), where he led the creation of Plan Cancun 2030, a long-term strategy for sustainable urban growth. The plan addressed crucial issues such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, and environmental conservation, while also focusing on revitalizing public spaces to support the city’s rapid expansion as a global tourist destination.

Plan Cancun 2030, under Ortiz Jasso’s direction, gained international recognition, winning the Award of Excellence in Urban Planning at the World Planning Congress in Dalian, China, in 2008. The plan has since been cited as a model for sustainable urban development in fast-growing cities.

Founding Director of the Strategic Projects Agency (AGEPRO), Quintana Roo[1] In 2017, after his success as the founding director of the Institute of Urban Planning of Cancun (IMPLAN), Eduardo Ortiz Jasso was appointed as the first Director General of the newly created Strategic Projects Agency of Quintana Roo (AGEPRO). This role marked a significant expansion in his responsibilities, transitioning from municipal urban planning to overseeing statewide strategic infrastructure development. AGEPRO was tasked with modernizing Quintana Roo’s infrastructure while incorporating sustainable development practices.[2]

As the founding leader of AGEPRO, Ortiz Jasso was tasked with shaping the agency’s strategic vision and overseeing the development and implementation of critical infrastructure projects across Quintana Roo. One of his most notable achievements in this role was the Nichupté Vehicular Bridge[3], which aims to ease traffic congestion in Cancun. Upon completion, the bridge will be one of the longest over a body of water in Latin America, and it has been praised for its sustainable design and integration with public transportation networks.[4]

Another highlight of Ortiz Jasso’s tenure at AGEPRO was the development of Equity’s Park, a project originally conceived during his leadership at IMPLAN as part of Plan Cancun 2030. This visionary plan, which Ortiz Jasso developed to guide Cancun’s long-term growth, identified Equity’s Park as a key initiative aimed at fostering social inclusion and providing accessible green spaces for the city’s residents. Under Ortiz Jasso’s leadership, the park was brought to life as a strategic project under AGEPRO. It aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has been recognized by UN-Habitat for promoting sustainable urban environments. [5]

Through his work at AGEPRO, Ortiz Jasso positioned the agency as a leader in state-driven sustainable development in Latin America.[6]

Director for Latin America & the Caribbean, Urban Economy Forum (UEF)[7] In 2022, after successfully leading urban development initiatives at both the local and state levels, Eduardo Ortiz Jasso was appointed Director for Latin America & the Caribbean at the Urban Economy Forum (UEF).

In this role, he has focused on developing urban economic policies and promoting sustainable development in the region. Now, with an international focus, Ortiz Jasso is driving efforts to address urbanization challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean, including affordable housing, climate resilience, and economic inequality.

As part of his responsibilities, Ortiz Jasso has facilitated partnerships with local governments, private organizations, and international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and UN-Habitat. These collaborations focus on creating resilient infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to resources, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities.

Under his leadership, UEF has played a central role in organizing major events, such as the upcoming Latin America and Caribbean Urban Economy Summit in 2025. This summit will bring together policymakers, financial institutions, and industry leaders to address pressing issues like sustainable urbanization, green technologies, and public-private partnerships that foster economic sustainability.

Ortiz Jasso has also been an active participant in two editions of the Urban Economy Forum in Canada (2023 and 2024), where he served as both a moderator and speaker, contributing to discussions on the future of urban resilience and sustainable urban planning.

Throughout his career, Ortiz Jasso has consistently addressed environmental challenges, particularly in coastal cities facing climate change. His work promotes climate adaptation strategies that help cities manage risks such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, and environmental degradation—issues he first encountered during his time in Cancun and Quintana Roo.

Through his work at the UEF, Ortiz Jasso has contributed to discussions on sustainable urbanization in Latin America and the Caribbean, advocating for policies that balance economic growth with environmental and social considerations.